I was about ready to jump off the ledge this past weekend but some FT buddies talked me down. I enjoy flying UA and the bennies are still quite useful. The net effect this change will have on my flying, sadly for UA is less flying on UA and more on their partners - $10,000 PQD is just too difficult for me to hit as a lowly student who doesn't have the luxury of OPM. However, if I can snag a long-haul PY on a preferred partner, then continue with buying cheap UA K fares and doing the occasional upgrade to PY or BusinessFirst (passengers last), then I should be okay for status this year.

It's going to suck flying LH/SQ PY to SYD instead of UA. Oh well, they made the business decisions they had to make. Gotta keep their JV partners happy!

Safe Travels,

James